By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 15: The reportedly sold-out Manggung Di Muara highlights Kuching’s potential for large-scale entertainment events, says Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Speaking to reporters during a press conference after attending Manggung Di Muara at the Kuching Waterfront on Saturday (Nov 14), he said large-scale entertainment events in Kuching could attract visitors, particularly from Indonesia, and generate wider economic benefits for the State’s tourism industry.
He also reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to supporting local organisers, particularly young people who take the initiative to organise arts and entertainment events.
He said Manggung Di Muara, now in its second edition after its inaugural staging last year, demonstrated young people’s commitment to developing the local creative industry.
“The ministry will always support these young people in further enhancing their capabilities. There is certainly much room for improvement, but the important thing is to make a start,” he said.
Commenting on Manggung Di Muara, he said it serves as a platform to strengthen ties and cooperation among performing arts practitioners from Malaysia and Indonesia.
“Our hope is that, through this collaboration involving artistes from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, Insya-Allah, their ties in the arts world will be further strengthened and the collaboration can continue in the years to come,” he said.
He also viewed AirBorneo’s introduction of direct flights between Kuching and Jakarta as an opportunity to expand the tourism market between Sarawak and Indonesia.
He said Sarawakians’ interest in travelling to Indonesia, coupled with the potential to attract more Indonesian tourists to Sarawak, could be further leveraged through the air connectivity.
“Although AirBorneo is still new, having been introduced in January this year, the airline has already begun to grow. Insya-Allah, next year and in the years ahead, it will go even further,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said his ministry is planning to feature artistes from Indonesia and Peninsular Malaysia—in addition to local acts from Sarawak—at its New Year 2027 countdown event next month, with the line-up expected to be announced later. — DayakDaily
